The Back Alley Archives

By Justin Wells
GatorCountry.com Recruiting Coordinator

Part II: The defense

As the Florida Gators zero in on an unparalleled fourth straight top five recruiting class, it's apparent that Coach Urban Meyer and his staff are being very selective. With 12 commitments already, there is room for maybe eight or nine others in the class at the most. There are plenty of players that want to be Gators but only a handful will actually wind up in Gainesville.

Yesterday, we looked at the offensive recruiting board. Today, we take a look at how the defensive board has shaped up.

DEFENSIVE END:

Committed to Florida:
Kedric Johnson (6-4, 220, Palmetto, FL)

In play:
Ryne Giddins (6-4, 220, Seffner, FL Armwood, #80 ESPN 150)
Nick Kasa (6-6, 250, Broomfield, CO Legacy)
Dyron Dye (6-5, 225, Sanford, FL Seminole, #143 ESPN 150)

Watch out for:
Malliciah Goodman (6-4, 260, Florence, SC West Florence, #127 ESPN 150) COMMITTED TO CLEMSON
Ed Stinson (6-5, 230, Homestead, FL South Dade)

Notes: The recent commitment of Kedric Johnson took many by surprise, but in the end it really was a no-brainer. Johnson looks to be on track to qualify and with a tremendous start to his senior season, made it very easy for the coaches to pull the trigger on a committable offer. Johnson will provide the Gators with another lean, athletic defensive end who can get to the QB. Johnson is a very talented player who could be considered a “poor man’s” William Green. He will need some time to add bulk and strength, but luckily he isn’t being asked to come in and start right off the bat … Ryne Giddins is the guy the staff seems to be targeting with what is likely the last DE slot in this class. Giddins is a pass-rusher extraordinaire who is almost as well known for his play on the field as he is for the doll head he carries around and talks to off of it. When it’s all said and done, however, Giddins has proved with his play on the field that he is quite probably the top prospect on the defensive side of the ball in the Sunshine State. Certainly a player the Gators would love to see join the fold ... Nick Kasa had a fine visit to Gainesville last weekend, but I would still have to think he’s all Colorado at the present time. It will be interesting to see if Florida continues the stepped-up pursuit of Kasa they have taken in the last couple of weeks, which climaxed with the official visit that Kasa took to UF this past weekend ... Elsewhere, Dyron Dye seems to be fading; Ed Stinson is a player who might have been a Gator with a better track record in the classroom; and Malliciah Goodman is a guy I personally believe the Gators will be targeting with the departure of Tommy Bowden from Clemson.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE:

Committed to Florida:
Gary Brown (6-3, 275, Quincy, FL West Gadsden, #86 ESPN 150)

In play:
Antwan Lowery (6-4, 335, Miami, FL Columbus, #121 ESPN 150)
Isaac Holmes (6-3, 290, Hoboken, NJ)
Brandon Moore (6-5, 320, Montgomery, AL Carver)

Notes: From the looks of the prospects Florida is recruiting, the Gators seem to be looking to add an “earth mover” type to pair alongside the extremely athletic Gary Brown on the inside. Antwan Lowery seemed like a real possibility, but he’s starting to talk up Miami again. He is certainly sending mixed signals, to be sure ... Brandon Moore will visit after the season. He seems open, but ’Bama is the team to watch. When I asked him where Florida stood, he told me “top 5ish.” Doesn’t exactly bode well for our chances at the present time, you would think ... With Coach Steve Addazio on staff, Florida has never had a problem reaching into New Jersey for players. Because of this fact, you have to think the Gators will be in the thick of it for Isaac Holmes until that ink hits the paper on a letter of intent from a school other than UF. He enjoyed his visit to Gainesville for the Miami game and the Gators are certainly in the thick of it for his services ... With the emergence of Brandon Antwine and Torrey Davis, the second DT slot in this class has become more of a luxury than a necessity. Florida will definitely not reach with this slot. If they can’t find a suitable second DT in this class, they will simply move on to the 2010 class ... Also, don’t be surprised if another name or two pops us at this position before it’s all said and done.

LINEBACKER:

In play:
Jon Bostic (6-1, 225, Wellington, FL Palm Beach Central, #106 ESPN 150)
Jarvis Jones (6-3, 230, Columbus, GA Carver, #64 ESPN 150)
Frankie Telfort (5-11, 200, Miami, FL Gulliver Prep, #40 ESPN 150)

Watch out for:
Sam Barrington (6-2, 215, Jacksonville, FL Terry Parker)
Duran Lowe (5-11, 215, Plant City, FL Plant City)

Notes: Jon Bostic looks to be on the verge of committing. His parents are really making him take his time with the process but expect Bostic to end up a Gator sooner, rather than later. I know that’s been the story for some time now, but it is the truth, trust me! … The very definition of the “+1” includes a photo of Jarvis Jones next to it. He isn’t a need, but is simply way too talented to turn down. By process of elimination Florida has moved to the front for his services. He ruled out home-state UGA, and with Clemson’s issues, they have fallen down the board as well. Miami and LSU seem to be the top competition for Jones with USC and Texas in the picture as well ... Telfort, Barrington and Lowe are a trio of extremely talented players, any of whom might be have had a Gator offer long ago in a different year and different set of circumstances. As of now, they are three players the staff is in close contact with in the event another linebacker in this class becomes a crucial need.

CORNERBACK:

In play:
Dre Kirkpatrick (6-3, 180, Gadsden, AL, Gadsden City, #5 ESPN 150)
Branden Smith (5-11, 170, Atlanta, GA Booker T. Washington, #44 ESPN 150)
Michael Carter (5-11, 160, Pompano Beach, FL Ely)

Watch out for:
Jayron Hosley (5-11, 175, Delray Beach, FL Atlantic Community)

Notes: Marsalis Teague probably could have fit in this category as well, but he is so talented on offense, he gets the “athlete” designation instead ... Dre Kirkpatrick came in for the LSU game and seemed to have a nice time. He is being recruited by Coach Charlie Strong and seems to have built a strong relationship with the coaches at UF. However, you are kidding yourselves if you think we’re going to get him. Great player and the coaches have to recruit him just in case but he will be signing with Alabama when it is all said and done … Branden Smith came in for an official visit this weekend, and by all accounts the Gators made a tremendous move. Florida has a legitimate shot at this point and has probably worked all the way up to second on Smith’s list. However, UGA has way too many ties to the Washington program, and it’s really hard to see Florida getting Smith’s signature. Smith has set up a visit to FSU on November 29th, meaning he will get to see the Gators up close and personal at least one other time this season ... Another player who is just sort of quietly hanging around is Michael Carter. While we don’t talk about him a whole lot on the boards he is certainly a very realistic possibility to end up in this class as well.

SAFETY:

Committed to Florida:
Dee Finley (6-1, 192, Auburn, AL Milford Prep, #10 in 2008 ESPN 150)

In play:
Ray Ray Armstrong (6-4, 210, Sanford, FL Seminole, #18 ESPN 150)
Jamal Reid (5-11, 175, Mayo, FL Lafayette, #104 ESPN 150)

Watch out for:
Frank Crawford (6-1, 161, Miami, FL Gulliver Prep)
Angelo Hadley (6-0, 187, Seffner, FL Armwood)

Notes: Dee Finley is a great addition to this class, and should provide an immediate impact at the safety position when he steps on the field next fall … Certainly one of the top prospects left on the board for the 2009 class is Ray Ray Armstrong. Florida continues to recruit him to play safety, but he is a guy who could end up playing all over the field, in addition to the defensive backfield … Don’t look now but Urban Meyer might look to repay Miami for some of the grief Randy Shannon and company have caused for this staff. Ultra-talented Jamal Reid is very much in the mix to receive an offer from Florida, and if that offer does come through, it will be extremely interesting to see what he does.

ATHLETE:

Committed to Florida:
Greg Reid (5-9, 175, Valdosta, GA Lowndes, #114 ESPN 150)

In play:
Marsalis Teague (5-10, 170, Paris, TN Henry County)

Watch out for:
Jairus Jones (6-0, 202, Tampa, FL Wharton)

Notes: Our Gator Country team of Tim Casey, Cody Jones and Mark McLeod got to see Greg Reid live and in person last Friday. Reid is finally getting some recognition for his incredible all-around talents, including a great story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week. His 24 career INT’s at the high school level is incredibly impressive but expect him to start off in the slot on offense here in Gainesville ... As for Marsalis Teague, it’s close … real close. That’s all I have in regards to him. It seems like he might have enjoyed his trip to Gainesville somewhat last week ... The story has been said many times but Jairus Jones is the son of Gator great James Jones. He really is a fine football player, and will make some team very happy when it’s all said and done. Unfortunately it just doesn’t appear that the team of choice will be Florida ... One final note to add, look for the Seminole Trio to announce their college decisions together on ESPN sometime down the road, possibly at the Under Armour All-America Game.

I would like to extend a special thanks to the “Recruitnik” team of Richard Burton, Cody Jones, Ryan Moss and Brett Williams. Without these guys this report would not have been possible. They work their tails off, go to school and still find a way to help us and for that I am so appreciative. They deserve as much credit for this report as anyone else. So to them, thanks, and I hope you guys stick around for a long time!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this recruiting report. Hopefully we will have one to you guys (and gals) every two weeks or so. Just to warn you, there might be some slight format changes here and there, but our goal is always to get the best recruiting information out to our subscribers, because you guys are the best bunch on the internet, bar none.

Take care and God bless.
Justin